Latest Activity

I don't mind you asking, I am only 40 years old. I was diagnosed 2 or 3 years ago but I think my first symptoms started 14 years ago. My first symptoms were exhaustion and daily rib pain.

I have looked back over the last few months and I cannot find anything I have changed. I am on the same list of meds. My vitamin D is always good. I started taking magnesium about a year ago. I am still working part time as a cashier and I have 3 kids. My diet & exercise remains the same.

This fatigue is just so overwhelming. What do you use to combat fatigue?

For the first time in years my pain has been a 3 or less for the last few days! I am not doing anything new or different. On the down side my chronic fatigue syndrome has kicked in and I am exhausted beyond belief.

But I will be happy to take the 5 or 6 hours a day awake and with low pain! I never really understood what others called a flare because I was almost constantly in pain. It is such a relief. I will be grateful for as many low pain days as I get. I will be careful not to overdo it. I know the dragon is still lurking out there but I will enjoy this break!

I agree with you! I am surprised that no one is going to therapy to work on their strained relationships. I know that some people don't believe in therapy. Sometimes it can be hard to talk to your spouse about the big issues. It can be scary because it makes you vulnerable and some things cannot be unsaid.

I personally see a therapist twice a month to deal with stress and come to terms with my FM. Therapy also gives me a nuetral place to vent instead of dumping all of my worries on my husband and friends. It has helped me but I understand it is not for everyone.

For those in this survey in a strong relationship, be thankful and celebrate your relationship.

For those in a strained relationship please keep working on it and I wish you all the best.

For those working on your relationship, consider counseling with a therapist or through your church.

For those relationships that have ended, I am sorry for your loss and hope your next relationship is better/different.

I take Nortriptylin to help prevent migraines. I used to take Topamax but it interfered with one of my other meds. It seems to help for migraine preventation but I don't know that it is helping my FM. I am going through a tough time with that right now.

I do enjoy my volunteer work. I am not stopping just slowing down. I was the Cub Scout Pack Committee Chairman and my husband was the Cubmaster. This year I will be a Committee member and my husband will be the Webelos leader. Still helping, still fun, but much less responsibility. I am also a girl scout assistant leader, they asked me to be leader but I knew that was too much.

I am just starting to learn what I can do with my new (FM) normal. I also work as a cashier as of last year. I submitted a doctor's note this Spring that I can only work up to 6 hours a day. Eight hours on my feet was just too much.

I think volunteer work is good for your soul. It gets our minds off of life's problems and stresses for a while.

My husband and I are excited to be celebrating our 15 year anniversary this week! I think every couple needs to make their own terms in their relationship. My husband and I generally agree 60% of the time, I get my way 30% of the time and the last 10% of the time he puts his foot down and I respect that. This works for us because of our different personality types, he is definitely more laid-back than me! It also works because we love and respect each other.

That is not to say that we never have difficult days. We have three kids, he works full time and I work part-time. We also volunteer with cub scouts and girl scouts. We have a lot on our plate but we try not to take on more than we can handle. One of the hard things for me has been having to give up some of my volunteer work.

Women's Health Newsletter

The opinions expressed in WebMD Communities are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. Communities are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.

Do not consider Communities as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.